Musical Wicked coming to Auckland

WICKED: One of the most successful shows in Broadway history, award-winning musical will fly into Auckland.

One of the most successful shows in Broadway history, award-winning musical Wicked will fly into Auckland for the first time this year.

From September, the hit show will take hold of Auckland's Civic Theatre as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations.

Loved by fans all around the world, Wicked is the tale of the witches of Oz, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire.

Well before Dorothy met up with the Tin Man and Lion, two other girls meet in the magical land. One with emerald green skin, smart and fiery; the other beautiful, ambitious and popular. Wicked shows how these two unlikely friends become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

Over a decade on the stage, the musical has picked up 35 major awards including a Grammy and three Tony Awards. It has been seen by nearly 36 million people worldwide.

Wicked Australia co-producer John Frost said: "Right from the beginning this show has been an overwhelming hit everywhere it has played. Wicked is a phenomenon, the most beloved musical of the past decade, and appeals to everyone from 8 t o 80.

"People love it for so many different reasons - some people come to see Wicked for the engrossing story, some for the astonishing sets and costumes, some for the soaring ballads, some for the deeper messages, and some to see the life-affirming friendship between the two girls who grow up to be Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West."